Where is the Lavender?

It was quite a surreal experience last week as I looked out of my office window and watched a group of girls sitting on benches under the trees. It was an early Spring day, fairly sunny with all the trees tinged in green. The girls had no idea that I was watching them as they talked animatedly among themselves, laughing as they told their tales with waving arms. Their exuberant chatter merged together as it drifted up to me watching at the window.

In these idyllic surroundings, they were safe, happy and engrossed in their stories – just as it should be.

What made these scenes even more poignant was the news I had just heard from Levana Primary School in Lavender Hill where I have spent the last three years mentoring the Principal.

The school and the community were grieving. One of their number, Nathlia Pienaar, a 6 year-old Grade R pupil, had been shot dead the day before while playing outside her flat. She had been found by her family still clutching her skipping rope. One report said that she had been found with 8 bullets in her.

I know Levana Primary School well. On the right hand side of the main school gate, the teaching staff have made a little garden of succulents and fynbos – a little haven of peace where only metres away, there is dust, litter, squalor and poverty. During the recent drought, the children were all asked to bring bottles of grey water to ensure that their garden would survive. For many, this was the only garden they knew.

I wonder whether Nathlia Pienaar had sat in that garden recently. I speculated whether she, in the manner of girls everywhere, had been laughing excitedly as she waved her arms about in her story telling. I mused to myself whether her excited chatter had drifted up to the flats across the road where the gangsters live.

I once asked Lucinda Evans, a Lavender Hill social worker, what motivated her to keep going in an area where gangs, drugs and poverty proliferate. Some years back, she was once awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French Government for her sterling work in the community. ‘My aim is to put the lavender back into these hills,’ she said to me simply.

This story is truly a Tale of Two Cities. One, where innocence of girls is oblivious of this type of hatred. The other, where innocence has been long lost.

From Dickens to Paton, Cry Thy Beloved Country.

Keith Richardson

Headmaster

Read the recent Daily Maverick article on this topic by Judith February, Chair of the Board:

The state of South African has been shaken to the core by the recent femicide attacks in our country. South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide globally and the case of Uyinene and many others like her has caused a stir amongst the Springfield community. This subsequently resulted in a silent protest that stood against gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa on 4 September. The protestors ranged from pupils to staff, parents and the nuns.

Pupils held posters with different sayings such as “Wie is ons sonder die vroue?” (Who are we without women?) “Sifelani?”(why are we dying?) and “Am I next?” The girls made a concerted effort to use sayings in different languages to highlight that the victims of femicide come from various backgrounds and ethnicities in South Africa. It drew attention to the unfortunate reality that anyone of our Springfield community could be subjected to the violence plaguing our society and that we need to stand together in solidarity during this time.

The march took place on Waterloo Road, Wynberg with majority of the Springfield community standing in complete silence while holding posters to on-lookers. This unified effort created an untouchable atmosphere of power that was felt by every individual that participated and witnessed the demonstration. Members of our Ubuntu Choir graced the demonstration with songs such ‘Senzenina?’ directly translating into ‘what have we done?’ This song represents the cries of the silenced victims: Senzenina to deserve this? The answer is nothing. There will never be a justifiable or valid explanation to excuse the actions and behaviours of perpetrators. Women, children, friends and family are no longer safe in their country and Springfield has taken a stand to show that we will not tolerate this reality. Enough is enough.

After the march, everyone was overwhelmed with emotions. Pain,empathy and the urgency to change our society filtered throughout the school. One of the teachers said to me that the protest was bigger than Springfield. The girls symbolised the cry of society. We as Springfield may not be able to change the state of South Africa but we can take the initiative to be conscious and aware within our respective spaces. Educating ourselves on the different forms of violence and how our use of language contributes towards violence against the marginalized is a step in fighting against gender-based violence no matter how small the contribution.

Like the women of 1956 said: Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo. You strike a woman, you strike a rock. And the rocks of Springfield are ready to strike!

Luhlanganiso Majebe

Head Girl 2020

Headmaster’s Comment:

I can’t say how apt and meaningful the Silent March of the girls was on Wednesday when they went to stand on the edges of Waterloo Green and held up their placards to the passing traffic. It was incredibly emotional for me that young women should have to stand and protest about what should be their basic human right, i.e. to grow up in safety. The composed and sedate singing, together with the hooting of the passing cars, added to the poignancy of the occasion. The whole event was dignified and appropriate as was the similar silent demonstration of Grade 11’s from Wynberg Boys’ High - who by their stand on Thursday, showed the girls that there are still responsible and considerate young men around. Also early on Wednesday, Bronwyn Jansen took a group of school leaders to support Herschel in their vigil on the Main Road.

The school is considering further appropriate, but different, actions to heighten awareness.

As I cannot put the safety of girls at risk or ask teachers to take responsibility for other peoples’ children if the situation turned volatile, I do not sanction Springfield participation in public marches. Girls who take part in these events may do so - but under the supervision of their parents.

“They will forever hold a special place in my heart” – Grade 11 pupil at Springfield

Two weeks ago, the Senior School announced their leaders for 2020 from the present Grade 11 group. After this announcement, Mr Richardson asked the girls who had been selected to show their gratitude to the people in their lives who had shaped them into the women they are today. Many of these girls had been in our Junior School. Subsequent to this announcement we have received a number of letters from these girls, sent to the staff in the Junior School. I would love to quote some of the affirming statements these girls made:

Without the guidance of this Junior School and all the staff that have helped me along the way, I would never have achieved what I have today.

Thank you for helping me grow and giving me so many opportunities to push myself to shine at this beautiful school.

I appreciate everything you have done for us girls.

I am thankful that I had the pleasure of growing up and learning in such a lovely and nurturing environment, with so many teachers I will never forget.

To all my teachers who have gotten me to this stage, a massive thank you. I give them all my gratitude and love.

They will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I cannot begin to tell you how moved we in the Junior School are by these letters from the Grade 11 girls. I was determined to share this with all our Junior School parents, as this is a reminder why you choose this special school for your daughters; you could not ask for more than having your daughter grow into a young woman such as these. Thank you for entrusting your precious daughters to our care.

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Standing in solidarity with women of South Africa

Many parents have asked how we in the Junior School are going to stand in solidarity with the women of South Africa during this time. After consultation with other girls’ junior schools in the Southern Suburbs, we have found an appropriate way to do this. On Tuesday next week, we will have a “respect” day, during which each girl may wear a pink accessory (we will have plenty of pink ribbon available at the office for their hair if they need it), and candles will be lit in classrooms and prayers said. The focus for the week, introduced at Assembly on Monday, will be on mutual respect – of ourselves and others, especially others who are different from us, that we may engender a sense of belonging for all in our homes, our school, our communities and in our country.

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The Safety of our girls is of the utmost importance to us

Please know that the side entrance in our Junior Primary block (between Ms Davidse’s and Mrs Beckett’s classrooms), is only for use during school time when the girls are accompanied by a teacher to go out to break. For the rest of the day, especially when the girls are on their own or unsupervised, our Junior Primary girls are to use the front stairs, which are much safer as the pupils are in full view of us all the time. This will be explained further by the teachers to their girls today.

I need to reassure parents that their daughters are safe when they walk from the Junior School to their music lessons in the Music School. The girls know to walk along the pavement next to the Pre-school fence, and then cross the road at the security boom and walk down past the Chapel to the music school. They are in sight of the security guards at all times. I will ask the class teachers to remind the girls of this route, and I will re-iterate this at Assemblies next week as well.

Quote for the beginning:

“She needed a hero so that’s what she became.

She believed she could so she did.”

R. S. Grey

Bawo wethu osemazulwini, sime apha sibumbene sikhala ngentlungu enye. Siphe amandla nkosi okuqhubeka silwe olu daba. Singoomama nabantwana sidiniwe, bonakalisa ubuntu nothando thixo osemazulwini. Thethelela nkosi ube nguThixo.

Amen

Hlombe Ndzube

Casual Day: Friday, 6 September.

Charity: National Institute for the Deaf

Cause: Awareness project for persons living with disabilities

Pupils are allowed to wear civvies, but their sticker MUST be available on their clothing.

Stickers have been ordered, pupils will be notified when and where they can go and buy them once they have arrived.

Sunflower Day: Friday, 20 September (Break up day)

Charity: Sunflower Fund

Cause: Support for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia.

Pupils must wear school uniform, but bring topes with and wear them in interesting ways at school.

Topes have been ordered, pupils will be notified when and where they can go and buy them once they have arrived.

Friday 30 August 19

U14 Inter-schools hockey at Wynberg

To try and explain the journey of the U14A hockey team we need to go back to the first tournament they played in March this year. To be frank they were completely outplayed by all their opponents. When this happens in pre-season a team can do two things, live up to these expectations or rise above them. This team rose above all our expectations. Inter-schools meant playing against probably the toughest competition experienced through the season for the second time, and they did both themselves and Springfield proud. A big thank to the girls for their commitment, to the parents for their support throughout the season and most of all to Michelle Tullis, their coach for an amazing season. It was a proud moment to watch them contest at Inter-schools with their heads held high.

Saturday 31 August 19

U16 & U18 Inter-schools hockey

Both the U16A and 1^st team have played some lovely hockey this season generally performing at a high level. At inter-schools on Saturday they did not disappoint.

Their results were as follows:

U16A 1^st Team

Vs St Cyprians 1-1 vs Ct Cyprians 2-1

Vs Wynberg 0-0 vs Wynberg 0-0

Vs Herschel 0-0 vs Herschel 0-1

Vs Rustenburg 2-0 vs Rustenburg 1-0

Both teams ended in 2^nd place, a result we are all very proud of. Well done to both teams for an outstanding hockey season. It has been a pleasure to watch the improved skills and confidence, culminating in a great display of hockey on Saturday morning. A big thank you to all the parents for their support, and of course a big thank you to both our coaches Mike Geldenhuys and Shaun Henshilwood.